International Minerals 57
Befisiotra Mine, Ikalamavony District, Haute Matsiatra, Madagascar
Size: 6 x 3.5 x 2.4 cm
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A wonderful liddicoatite specimen from the Befisiotra Mine that features an exceptionally elegant, gemmy maroon tourmaline consisting of two intergrown crystals. Both are beautifully developed, lustrous all around and finished with distinct pyramidal terminations. One of the most fascinating features becomes apparent when illuminating the crystal from behind. Its color is not simply red or maroon, but reveals a beautiful yellowish core that can be seen through the transparent crystal. This subtle color zoning adds another dimension to the specimen and makes it particularly attractive when illuminated. Small albite crystals around the base provide a lovely contrast and complete the composition. There are a few natural imprints on the termination faces and a tiny chip on the backside, but otherwise the specimen is in excellent condition. A very elegant and colorful liddicoatite with beautiful transparency and plenty of character.
Trepca valley, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo
Size: 23 x 20 x 16 cm
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A massive and impressive dolomite specimen from the Trepča Valley in Kosovo. At 23 cm across, it is a substantial piece, featuring individual dolomite crystals reaching almost 15 cm in length. Their well-developed forms give the specimen a strong presence, while countless black sphalerite crystals scattered across the dolomite add a wonderful contrast and bring plenty of life to the composition. Small, colorless calcite crystals can also be found in between. The backside is more extensively covered with calcite, whereas the front presents a much clearer arrangement, with the large pale dolomite crystals and dark sphalerites creating a particularly striking contrast. A bold cabinet specimen from this classic Balkan locality, combining impressive crystal size with a very appealing mineral association.
Cruzeiro mine, São José da Safira, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 4.3 x 1.5 x 1.2 cm
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The transparent tourmaline crystal displays a particularly attractive color zoning, with distinct green, white and red sections that give it a very individual appearance. This combination of colors is undoubtedly its most appealing feature. The pyramidal termination has a somewhat etched, irregular surface, which appears to be natural rather than the result of damage. Despite its partly rough texture, the crystal retains an excellent luster and a lovely gemmy quality. It is in very good condition overall, with only a very few tiny chips. A distinctive tourmaline crystal that stands out above all for its beautiful color zoning and natural character.
Chessy-les-Mines, Rhone, Rhone-Alpes, France
Size: 6.5 x 4 x 3 cm
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A very attractive azurite specimen from the classic locality of Chessy-les-Mines. The specimen forms a free-standing, sculptural arrangement of deep blue azurite, partially pseudomorphed to green malachite. Small patches of yellowish feldspar or calcite are interspersed throughout, adding further variation to the composition. I particularly like the combination of these three minerals and the way they come together to create this distinctive, almost architectural shape. A French classic in excellent condition, with a very appealing overall composition.
Navegadora claim, Conselheiro Pena, Doce valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 3.9 x 3.7 x 3 cm
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A fine spessartine specimen from the famous Navegadora Claim that has a rounded, almost spherical shape and displays the beautifully textured surface characteristic of these well-known Brazilian spessartines. When illuminated from behind, it reveals a wonderful gemmy cherry-red color that makes these specimens so very coveted. Another interesting feature is its partially hollow structure, which adds an unusual dimension to the specimen and makes its natural formation particularly intriguing. Apart from one or two tiny imperfections, the piece is in excellent condition. A very appealing example from this classic locality, with a distinctive shape, fascinating surface texture and amazing color.
Mt Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China
Size: 10.1 x 7.1 x 2.8 cm
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A highly aesthetic scheelite specimen from the famous Mount Xuebaoding with beautifully isolated crystals set on a delicate matrix. The scheelite crystals display a rich honey-yellow to warm orange color, with excellent luster and transparency. Their bright, almost glowing appearance makes them stand out beautifully against the surrounding minerals. What I particularly like about this piece is its balanced and harmonious composition. A fine bed of silvery muscovite provides a shimmering background, while scattered, gem-clear beryl crystals add another delicate detail. Rising above this sparkling matrix, the scheelite crystals create a wonderful contrast in both color and form. The specimen measures 10.1 cm, with the largest scheelite crystals reaching up to 1.6 cm. A very elegant and beautifully composed piece from this classic Chinese locality.
Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 7.1 x 5.3 x 3.6 cm
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A rather unusual aquamarine specimen with a fascinating level of detail and a very distinctive crystal habit.
The aquamarine itself measures just under 6 cm in length and sits freely on a fully crystallized feldspar matrix. Its surface is finely structured all around and shows excellent luster. Particularly striking is the termination, which has a delicate, frayed appearance, consisting of countless fine, needle-like formations. This unusual texture gives the crystal a very special character.
The aquamarine is doubly terminated, with a similarly textured formation at the bottom. There is a small imperfection at the very bottom, which is hardly noticeable, while the rest of the crystal is in excellent condition.
Another interesting detail is the presence of dark red garnets directly beneath the aquamarine. These are characteristic of the locality and add an appealing mineralogical aspect to the specimen.
Even the underside of the feldspar is fully crystallized, making this a complete floater in very good condition. An unusual and highly individual aquamarine with plenty of character.
Fresnillo, Fresnillo Municipality, Zacatecas, Mexico
Size: 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.3 cm
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A fine and rather rare pyrargyrite specimen from the important locality near Fresnillo. The small but very appealing piece features a beautifully formed cluster of pyrargyrite crystals with a bright metallic luster. One of its most fascinating features becomes apparent when the specimen is illuminated from behind: the crystals suddenly glow with an intense fire-red color, creating a spectacular effect. The first photograph below shows this wonderful backlit appearance. I particularly like the overall composition. The pyrargyrite sits on a nicely balanced piece of microcrystalline quartz, whose pale, delicate texture provides a striking contrast to the dark metallic crystals. A lovely little specimen in excellent condition, with a fascinating optical effect and nice aesthetic appeal.
Galdino mine, Medina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Size: 3.5 x 3.1 x 2.7 cm
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It is a v-shaped combination of two apatites on a small feldspar cluster. The apatites are freely presented, flawless and show rather good quality. There are inclusions but those are encased in transparent yellowish green apatite. A very well defined miniature specimen of striking design.
Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Size: 5.8 x 3.2 x 2.2 cm
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This aquamarine is something special! Two parallel crystals of stunning quality and with an intense blue color that is far too rarely seen in reality. The crystals are transparent with only minimal inner clouds, which in fact are rather elegant. The surface is highly lustrous all around and there is absolutely no damage here, not even the slightest abrasions. It is also interesting to note that although the smaller crystal has a straight termination, the larger crystal is extremely complex and multi-faceted. Even if it is "only" a loose aquamarine without matrix, you can't help but be amazed by this exceptional specimen!
Xianghuapu Mine, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hunan, China
Size: 10.9 x 5.5 x 4 cm
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This is truly a very attractive fluorite specimen from the Xianghuapu Mine. The piece measures 10.9 cm overall, with the main fluorite crystal reaching an impressive 6.5 cm on edge. It combines a beautiful glassy luster with excellent transparency and an intriguing play of colors. One of the most appealing features is the prominent phantom visible inside the crystal. Thanks to its remarkable transparency, you can also clearly see the delicate layer of dolomite crystals behind it. This provides a subtle greenish background that contrasts nicely with the otherwise more blueish appearance of the fluorite. The backside is equally interesting. It is not broken, but shows a rough, richly textured surface that appears to be a recrystallized contact, full of small details. There are some internal cracks, but no external damage to the crystal. A fine and rather unusual fluorite, with impressive dimensions, excellent transparency and a beautifully visible phantom.
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A beautiful amethyst specimen from the well-known locality of Las Vigas, Mexico. It features a superbly developed main crystal, accompanied by several beautifully formed secondary crystals. The entire group is exceptionally sharp and lustrous, with a wonderful brilliance that gives the specimen a very lively appearance. All crystals are undamaged and show an excellent level of perfection throughout. A small but particularly fine amethyst, combining excellent crystal quality with a very harmonious composition.